Re: help me choose a lens for kids outdor soccer (on a R6mkii)
If you're looking for a multi-purpose lens you can also use other than for soccer, then a 70-200 might be the way to go. The RF versions are nice because they're smaller and a lot lighter than the EF versions, but the one advantage of the EF versions is they all take the EF teleconverters (the new RF 70-200Z takes the RF TCs and is available in black, but it's also the most expensive option). With at least the 1.4x TC, you'd then have 280mm to work with. Otherwise, I think for field sports, your best bet is a 100-400 just for the flexibility of the zoom range that you won't get with a 70-200 & TC. IMO, longer than 200mm will be more useful than wider than 100mm. If you're concerned about the white lens attracting attention, I believe you can get vinyl skins for many of the more popular Canon lenses, and there should be black options (though I'm not sure if you can skin the part of the 100-400 that extends when you zoom).
Crop mode is really only useful if you're only shooting in-camera jpeg files and want to minimize work on the computer later. But yes, with the R6II, you're down to 9.3MP. It's not a lot but still enough for an 8x10 print at 300 dpi. The look of the image in crop mode is like you're shooting with a one-stop slower lens, in respect to background separation/blur compared to FF with the same framing. However, this might still be slightly better than FF with a 100-400 because that lens is slow(ish) throughout the full zoom range. It's already at f/5.0 from 135-311mm. 200/2.8 with 1.6x Canon APS-C crop will be ~320/4.5. Probably a wash in real world use. To get around the low resolution in APS-C crop would entail a different camera, whether the R5/R5II in crop mode, or the R7 for the most pixel 'reach.' But that camera has some compromises of its own. Canon really is missing a higher end APS-C option.
Mike_5D's point about the relationship between camera/subject/background distance combinations is a very good one. It will have a significant impact on the look of images. Basically if you want nice isolated subject type action shots, you want the player large in the frame and will as much distance between them and the background as possible. It might sound obvious, but it's not always easy with busy backgrounds and where the action is happening. Generally if it's on the far side of the field across from you and close to the far sideline, it's not going to look nice unless it's a spectacular play.
Aug 07, 2025 at 09:24 PM
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